Interactive music training and entertainment system

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a music training and entertainment system are described that allows a user to input a selection of source music in a native format, and isolates a desired vocal or instrument component within the source music. The user selects the component of the source music against which he or she will be compared. The system suppresses the non-selected components of the source content to isolate the user-selected component. The system receives user input corresponding to the isolated component, such as a vocal track, and matches the receiver&#39;s performance to the original performance. The system then provides meaningful and entertaining feedback to allow the user to practice and improve his or her performance. In a multi-user configuration a number of users, such as a band or ensemble can provide a performance, or individual users can compete against each other to see who can obtain the highest score.

FIELD

Embodiment of the present invention relates generally to onlineentertainment systems, and more specifically to an interactive vocal andinstrument training system.

BACKGROUND

The advent of karaoke machines and video games that allow people to singor play an instrument along with accompanying background track haveushered in a new form of entertainment, as people can interactivelyprovide their contribution to a piece of music. While typical karaokesystems have evolved in a direction that facilitates singing over apiece of pre-recorded music by providing graphic and lyrical cues over ainstrumental backing track, such systems provide a relatively narrowentertainment experience and do not perform any analysis or provide thenecessary feedback that is necessary for allowing amateur singers ormusicians to improve their vocal or instrumental skills. Likewisetraditional music teaching methods, such as in-person or videotapedlessons generally lack an entertainment component that genuinely engagesa student.

Many present music playback systems consist of a microphone, a source orinput for recorded music, an amplifier, and speakers for audio output.These systems allow a user to sing or play over a piece of music andhear his or her performance played over the original music track. Suchsystems, however, include the all of the original vocal and instrumenttracks and it is difficult, therefore to accurately hear or judge theaccuracy of the superimposed portion over the original music. Basickaraoke machines provide source music in which the vocal component (oran instrument component) has been suppressed or reduced in volume sothat a user's input can be more clearly heard over the source music.Such systems consist of an audio mixer with a microphone input builtinto a music playback system. These music playback systems can be tapemachines, Compact Disc (CD) machines, Video CD, Laser Disc, DVD (DigitalVersatile Disc) machines, streaming media players, or any similarplayback machine. Most karaoke machines employ a specially formattedsource track, such as CD+G that includes graphic data in addition to theaudio data on the disk. These graphics can display lyrics, musicnotation, and any video or graphic image that is suitable for playbackon the karaoke machine. Another audio standard that has been developedfor karaoke is the .KAR format for MIDI (Musical Instrument DigitalInterface) players. This format is used in conjunction with computerprograms that use MIDI instrumentation to generate the accompanimentrather than a recorded track.

Basic karaoke systems rely on music sources in which the audio portionfor such customized formats and media typically has the vocal (or otherdesired instrument) component entirely eliminated through deletion ofsuch tracks from the source media (e.g., master tape or disc) or throughreplication on a different (e.g., purely instrumental version). Suchsystems thus require special instrument-only tracks to be provided orrequire the use of non-original source music. Such systems also requireexpensive and complicated playback systems. This prevents such systemsto be used with any type of source music and in any format.

Many basic music playback entertainment systems may be set up to providea “karaoke mode” that attempts to remove the vocal track from a regularaudio CD. Such methods are typically based on a crude center removaltechnique that tries to take advantage of the fact that the vocals inmost music are in the center in a stereo system, as opposed to eithersolely on the right channel or the left channel. The vocal track is thusof equal volume on both stereo channels with no phase difference, andthe center removal technique subtracts the left channel from the rightchannel in an attempt to cancel out the common vocal signal. Thisapproach however often results in poor performance due to the simplefact that many other instruments are mixed in the center and areconsequently also removed.

While karaoke systems are fine as entertainment systems for interactivesinging, they do not provide an adequate platform for music training, asthey are typically expensive and rely on a proprietary music format andplayback system, and require the user to pay for each instance of aplayback session, thus forcing multiple payments for the same song.Traditional music training systems based on classes or video-based oronline lessons are often limiting in that they can be expensive,stressful and/or uninteresting. The popularity of television shows, suchas American Idol®, has spawned the release of video games that try toreplicate the music audition environment in which users attempt to singor play along with piece of music to compete and receive a score basedon their performance. Such systems, however, provide only a limitednumber of source songs, and require music tracks that are tagged orformatted to special requirements. Such systems typically also providevery limited user input and system feedback information.

What is needed, therefore, is a music training and entertainment systemthat allows a user to input a selection of source music in a nativeformat, and isolates a desired vocal or instrument component within thesource music, compares the user's performance to the source performance,and then provides meaningful and entertaining feedback in a manner thatencourages the user to practice and improve his or her performance.

What is further needed is an interactive personal music performanceentertainment system that does not require the use of expensiveproprietary playback equipment or require the user effectivelyre-purchase the same music multiple times, and which can allow a user toexploit the vast amount of different music available from online sourcesin their native format.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of exampleand not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in whichlike references indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer network system that implementsembodiments of a music training and entertainment system.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the input and output content of amusic and entertainment system, under an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates an overall music training andentertainment process, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart that illustrates steps in process of processingsource and user music content in a music training and entertainmentsystem, under an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates the display of source dynamic range compared withuser input, under an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a virtual panel of judges for use in a graphical userinterface of the feedback component, under an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an example screen display for a web-based music training andentertainment system, under an embodiment.

FIG. 8A illustrates the comparison of a source music component with auser provided component for the parameter of pitch, under an embodiment.

FIG. 8B illustrates the comparison of a source music component with auser provided component for the parameter of rhythm, under anembodiment.

FIG. 8C illustrates the comparison of a source music component with auser provided component for the parameter of quality, under anembodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a personal computer system that can implement a musictraining and entertainment process, under an embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a posted user performance for the music training andentertainment system, under an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a table that illustrates a correlation of quality scores toconverted scores and subjective feedback, under an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of a music training and entertainment system are describedthat allows a user to input a selection of source music in a nativeformat, isolates a specified vocal or instrument component within thesource music, compares a user input to the specified source component,and provides entertaining feedback to the user based on the comparison.The user selects the component of the source music which he or she willprovide, such as a song's vocal track. The system suppresses thenon-selected components of the source content to isolate theuser-selected component. The system receives user input corresponding tothe isolated component, and compares the user's performance to theoriginal performance. The system then provides meaningful andentertaining feedback to allow the user to practice and improve his orher performance. In a multi-user configuration, a number of users, suchas a band or ensemble can provide a performance, or individual users cancompete against each other to see who can obtain the highest score.

In the following description, numerous specific details are introducedto provide a thorough understanding of, and enabling description for,embodiments of the music training and entertainment system. One skilledin the relevant art, however, will recognize that these embodiments canbe practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with othercomponents, systems, and so on. In other instances, well-knownstructures or operations are not shown, or are not described in detail,to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosed embodiments.

Aspects of the one or more embodiments described herein may beimplemented on one or more computers executing software instructions.The computers may be networked in a client-server arrangement or similardistributed computer network. FIG. 1 illustrates a computer networksystem 100 that implements one or more embodiments. In system 100, anetwork server computer 104 is coupled, directly or indirectly, to oneor more network client computers or computing devices 102 and 118through a network 110. The network interface between server computer 104and client computer 102 may include one or more routers that serve tobuffer and route the data transmitted between the server and clientcomputers, and network 110 may be the Internet, a Wide Area Network(WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), or any combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the server computer 104 includes an optionalWorld-Wide Web (WWW) server 116 or server clustering environment thatstores data in the form of web pages and transmits these pages asHypertext Markup Language (HTML) files over the Internet 110 to theclient computers. For this embodiment, the client computers typicallyrun a web browser program, such as 114 to access the web pages served byserver computer 116 and any available content provider or supplementalserver 113.

The network client computers are configured to run a client-side processthat implements embodiments of a music training and entertainmentprocess that allows a user to input source music and user provided vocaland/or instrument input for comparison and interactive judging on servercomputer 104. Another class of client computers is represented by mobileclient 118. Mobile client 118 can be a mobile computing or communicationdevice, such as a notebook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA),mobile phone, game console, or any similar class of mobile computingdevice with sufficient processing, communication, and audio/videoplayback capability.

As shown in FIG. 1, any of the processes executed on any of the clientand/or server computers may also be referred to as modules orcomponents, and may be standalone programs executed locally on therespective client computer, or they can be portions of a distributedclient application run on the client or a network of client computers.

In one embodiment, server 104 in network system 100 is a server computerthat executes a server side music training and entertainment system 112.The music training and entertainment system includes functionalcomponents that perform the tasks of receiving source and user inputmusic content, separating one or more components from the source music,comparing the user input content with suppressed and counterpartcomponents of the source music, and providing feedback regarding theuser content. In general, the music entertainment system comprises twomain portions, a front-end component that processes the source anduser-input music content, and a back-end component that provides aninteractive and entertainment oriented judging and feedback environment.

For the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the music training andentertainment system includes a suppression (or isolation) module 122and a matching (or comparison) module 124 that constitute major blockswithin the front-end component of process 112. These two modulesmanipulate the received source music content to provide a basis forcomparison with the user input music component. The back-end componentprimarily consists of a user feedback module 126 which provides scoringand feedback through text or graphics objects in a graphical userinterface that may be configured to replicate a panel of judges orsimilar environment.

The music training and entertainment system 112 may represent one ormore executable programs modules that are stored within network server104 and executed locally within the server. Alternatively, process 112may be stored on a remote storage or processing device coupled to server104 or network 110 and accessed by server 104 to be locally executed. Ina further alternative embodiment, the music training and entertainmentsystem 112 may be implemented in a plurality of different programmodules, each of which may be executed by two or more distributed servercomputers coupled to each other, or to network 110 separately.Throughout the description, the terms, “module,” “component,” and“process” may be used interchangeably to mean an computer program,routine, or subroutine that is executed on any of the server and/orclient computers of FIG. 1, and may be implemented as software,firmware, or programmed hardware.

For an embodiment in which network 110 is the Internet, network server104 executes a web server process 116 to provide HTML objects, typicallyin the form of web pages, to client computers coupled to the network. Toaccess the HTML files provided by server 104, client computer 102executes a web browser process 114 that accesses web pages available onserver 104 and resources, such as supplemental server 113. The clientcomputers may access the Internet 110 through an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP). Content for any of the programs or data associated withthe music source and input used by the client computer 102 may beprovided by a data store 120 closely or loosely coupled to any of theserver 104 and/or each client computer. A separate content provider 113may provide some of the data, such as source music from music database103 that is provided to the music training process 112. Although datastore 120 is shown coupled to the network server 104, it should be notedthat content data may be stored in one or more data stores coupled toany of the computers of the network, such as network client 102 or todevices within the network 110 itself.

The functions of the music training and entertainment process 112 may beseparated among client-side and server-side modules, as required orallowed by the system constraints and resources. In one embodiment, theprocess is distributed among client-side processes using a cloakingmechanism to reduce the number of servers that may be required to hostthe process. An encryption technique allows client-side processes toperform the necessary tasks using temporary code that is loaded onto theclient computers.

The general purpose of the music training and entertainment process isto provide an entertaining way to provide constructive feedback toaspiring singers and musicians. It can also be used to gain insight intothe vocal or instrument quality of a given user or musical performance.In a network environment, an interactive judging interface provided byuser feedback module 126 provides a platform for competition amongusers.

In one embodiment, the music training and entertainment process 112comprises an online system that separates a vocal or instrumentcomponent of any type of source music content, and compares acorresponding user input component to the original component to providea comparison score. The original music without the separated componentserves as a background track against which the user can provide his orher own performance. The system can be configured to output the combinedbackground track and user performance, the user performance only, or theuser performance with the full original source music.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the input and output content of amusic and entertainment system, under an embodiment. The source music202 can be any type of audio content such as music, spoken word, sounds,and so on. It is provided to the music training process 208 as digitaldata that is contained on any type of media, such as CD, DVD, orcomputer disk. It can also be provided in the form of streaming datasuch as from a music player an Apple® iPod™ or equivalent MP3 player, orfrom the Internet, or any similar source. The source can also be a videowith audio content. In one embodiment, the source music may be providedin analog format, such as from a cassette tape or vinyl LP. In thiscase, it is first converted to digital format through a D/A (digital toanalog) conversion process (not shown). The source music input can alsobe a live performance of a person or object that is making soundsagainst which the user wants to compare their performance. In oneembodiment, the source music is converted to a standardized digitalaudio format, such as a WAV (waveform audio format) or AIFF (audiointerchange file format) file, or any other compressed or uncompresseddigital format suitable for audio content.

The user input that is compared to the source music component can be anytype of input that corresponds to the component against which the userseeks comparison. Thus, the user can provide a vocal track, or any typeof instrument track, such as guitar, drums or percussion, keyboard,horn, string, or any other type of instrument. In a typicalimplementation, the user input is provided by means of a microphone orother sensor that is either amplified or provided directly as a lineinput to a circuit of the music training process 208. Such vocal orinstrument input constitutes an analog signal, which is converted todigital format through A/D converter 206. The user input could alsocomprise a number of users constituting a band or ensemble with eachuser providing an instrument and/or vocal track. In this case, the userinput consists of multiple components that are compared againstrespective counterparts of the source music. If the user is inputtingtheir component through a digital source 205, such as a MIDI interfaceor MIDI-enabled instrument, the A/D conversion stage 206 is notrequired, and this digital input is provided directly to the musictraining process 208.

The user input can also be provided in the form of video content, inwhich the user's performance is filmed or videotaped using a camcorderor similar video capture device. In this case, the audio portion of thevideo content is processed as if it were available as standalone audiocontent. The entire video of the user's performance can then be uploadedto an online site (e.g., youtube.com). Various different video formatscan be used, such as Quicktime, MPEG, and the like.

The music training process 208 includes a suppression component thatisolates a selected component from the source by suppressing thenon-selected components. Thus, if the user wants to sing over a track,the vocal component of the source music would be isolated by suppressionof the non-vocal tracks. Likewise, if the user wants to play the leadguitar portion of a song, this component of the source music would beisolated within the song, and so on. If a band or portion of a band isplaying into the system, the components corresponding to theircontributions would be isolated from the remaining background music.

In one embodiment, suppression of the non-selected components isperformed as a background task, and the entire source music is playedback to the user. Alternatively, the isolated component can be removedfrom the source music and the resulting background track can then beplayed back to the user so that the user can play or sing-along to addtheir performance to the music without simultaneously hearing theoriginal component.

A comparison process within the music training process compares the userinput component with the original source music component. Process 208then provides an output, which could consist of the combined user andsource performance or just the user performance. This is provided asdigital data for storage onto any suitable media, such as CD, DVD, harddisk, and so on. Alternatively, it can be output as streaming data or asa digital file that can be uploaded to other computers or websites overthe Internet, or other network.

In one embodiment, a front-end input circuit or box is coupled to orintegrated in client computer 102 to receive both the source musiccontent 202 and the user input 204. This system provides a distinctadvantage over present game, video-based music training systems, orkaraoke players in that the user can provide a song from any source andtrain against the actual song. The user is not limited to only theselection of songs provided by the system, nor is the user limited tousing a manipulated or non-original version of a song.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates an overall music training andentertainment process, according to an embodiment. For the processillustrated in FIG. 3, a user simultaneously inputs source music andtheir own performance into the system. This can be accomplished throughplaying both the song and simultaneously singing or playing over thesong, or inputting the song and their vocal or instrument performanceseparately. The user input 302 consisting of a vocal or instrumentcomponent is received and stored by the system in step 305 to produce auser input track 306. The source music input 304 is provided to thesystem. The source music may be provided as a digital file or stream, oran analog signal. It is converted to a defined digital format (e.g., WAVor AIFF). The system then stores the source music content 316 as a firstcopy (copy 1). The user specifies which component or components of themusic that he or she will provide. The suppression module 122 in process112 eliminates or suppresses the non-selected components of the music instep 307 to produce a background track that consists of the originalsource music with the selected component isolated and separated out,block 308, and this is stored as a second copy (copy 2). The entiresource music content, copy 1, is then played back to the user through aplayback device 318, as shown in step 317. This provides a backgroundreference against which the user can sing or play against. The user mayadjust the volume of the playback device to aid the performance (e.g.,raising the volume) or remove any assistance (e.g., lower the volume).

The system receives the user input through an input system (e.g.,microphone or direct line in) as well as the playback of copy 1. Theplayback of copy 1 is typically picked up if a microphone is used by theuser and the copy 1 playback volume is turned up high enough. If theuser employs a direct instrument line input or turns the volume of copy1 playback down, then the playback of copy 1 may not be picked up. Thematching module 124 compares the user input track 306 to the copy 2isolated source component 308, as shown in step 309. The compared userand isolated source components 310 are then used to generate a score forthe user performance, step 311. In one embodiment, the system comparesthe two music streams through a matching algorithm that creates a scorealong a range, such as 0 to 100. The score is then displayed or providedback to the user through a system feedback component 312. In a networkedimplementation, the score and/or the performance can then be postedonline, as shown in step 313 to provide system output to the network,314.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart that illustrates steps in process of processingsource and user music content in a music training and entertainmentsystem, under an embodiment. In the process of FIG. 4, the user selectsa pre-recorded piece of music from a source and selects it to be playedby the system or other playback machine. In one embodiment, a userinterface is provided that allows the user to select certain optionswith regard to the playback of the source content. These include volume,speed, duration, song selections, and other similar parameters. The usercan also select which component should be compared to his or herperformance, which dictates the component or components that are to besuppressed block 402. The system can be configured to acceptuser-provided input from a single user or from multiple users at once,such as a band or group. A single user can isolate a single component ofa song for comparison, such as a vocal track, or even multiple tracks,such as voice and piano or guitar, and so on. If a full band is playingand wants to be compared with the original band performance, the usercan choose to isolate and compare all components from the sourcecontent. If, in block 404, the user opts to compare all components, theband will provide all components, block 406, otherwise, the userprovides the selected voice and/or instrument components, block 408. Theuser or band begins their vocal or instrument input in sync and tunewith the source stream. The system then receives the source music, block410 and suppresses the non-selected component or components, block 412.The vocal or instrument separation and suppression algorithm separatesout the vocal or instrument content from the source stream for analysisin a comparison module. A copy of the entire source music is stored as afirst copy, and the isolated component is stored as a second copy in thesystem, block 413. The system then performs a matching or comparisonfunction on the isolated copy and the user input, block 414 and outputsa numeric score upon completion of the source feed, block 416. Resultsand output can be output to any appropriate medium or network, block418.

Source-User Comparison Process

Although most implementations will comprise music as the source data,various types of audio data can be provided as the source data,including speech, natural sounds, sound effects, and so on. Regardlessof the source content, audio data consists of sound and silenceexpressed through time. Several qualitative criteria are included inanalysis algorithms employed by the comparison module of the system. Thecomparison module 124 is configured to compare certain pre-definedparameters associated with the source and user input content. In oneembodiment, the elements of sound that are measured and compared are thepitch, rhythm, and sonic quality of the sound.

Each of these three major parameters themselves comprises a number ofcharacteristics. For example, pitch comprises the perceived fundamentalfrequency of a sound and encompasses characteristics such as melody andharmony. The melody is series of linear events that vary over time, andharmony is the movement from one pitch simultaneity to another, and thestructural principles that govern such progressions. Rhythm is thevariation of the length and accentuation of a series of sounds andencompasses characteristics such as tempo and meter. Tempo is the speedor pace of a given piece of music, while meter describes the measurementof rhythmic units (e.g. “¾ time”). The quality of a sound refersprimarily to the timbre, but also dynamics, articulation and texture.Timbre is the quality of a musical note or sound that distinguishesdifferent types of sound production, such as voices or musicalinstruments. Articulation of sound is a direction or performancetechnique that indicates or affects the transition or continuity betweennotes or sounds, such as vocal slurs, or slides or bends on a guitar.Music dynamics refers to the softness or loudness of a sound or note,and equates generally to volume or amplitude of a signal. Finally,texture is a notion that describes the overall sound of a piece ofmusic, such as dark, light, moody, and so on.

In one embodiment, the comparison module breaks each of the sourcecomponent and user input component down into three main parameters of:pitch, rhythm and quality. Each parameter of the user input component iscompared with the corresponding parameter of the source component, andthe resulting comparisons are each assigned a score along a pre-definedscale, such as 0 to 10 or 0 to 100, with 0 low. The scores for eachparameter are then averaged to provide an overall score for the userperformance.

In one embodiment, the music training and entertainment system includesone or more program modules that implement algorithms to suppress orisolate certain components of source music, and compare a user providedcomponent to the corresponding source component. As shown in FIG. 2, asource piece of music is first uploaded into the system from virtually asource input (e.g., CD, DVD, MP3, etc.) as digital data. The uploadedmusic, regardless of source, is converted to a digital format file(e.g., WAV or AIFF). The original source content is duplicated for thecomparison process.

A suppression process is applied to the uploaded digital file toseparate out the user specified track or component portion of the musicrecording (e.g., vocals, guitar, drums, or other). A second function inthe suppression process eliminates, purges or reduces the level of thecomponents of the music recording that the user did not select. Forexample, if the user selected “vocals”, the algorithm would purge all ofthe non-vocal portions of the music recording. This suppression andprocess occurs in the background, and during playback, the user hearsthe original source music in its entirety.

The user selected component of the music to be segregated from theremainder of the source is decomposed into digital units based on theparameters of pitch, rhythm and quality. From these units, segments areformed based on temporal form and cross-channel continuity. Using anarray of pre-selected pitch, rhythm and quality contours, the userselected music segment is isolated. A pre-determined array of valuesstored in a database of the system is utilized by the process. Spectralchanges within each segment are analyzed, and a probability is assignedto each segment or unit using a Markov model, or similar process. If theprobability exceeds a predefined threshold for match (e.g., 75%), thatportion is segregated from the original recording. This segregatedportion of the music will be used for the matching process that isexecuted by the comparison process.

Once the user selected portion of the music is isolated, the originalrecording is no longer needed to complete the sound comparison performedby the comparison process. Through the playback system, the user willcontinue to hear the original recording, however, the remaining musicthat did not pass the 75% threshold as part of the separation process iseffectively removed by the process. In this case, the suppressionprocess purges the remaining source music components from the systemdatabase and the resident memory on the host machine.

In one embodiment, the comparison process utilizes a matching algorithmthat performs comparisons on the pitch, rhythm, and sonic qualityparameters of the input music. Other parameters can be used, dependingupon system constraints and requirements. Once the source digital filehas been separated and suppressed based on the user selections, it isstored as a copy in the system, and this isolated source file is thencompared to the user input stream. The user provides and records theirown vocal, guitar, drum or other instrument component. In oneembodiment, the system employs a DSP (digital signal processor)cross-correlation algorithm that matches the isolated source music filewith the user input component. The system compares the user input andassigns a series of numeric values to each compared segment based onpitch, rhythm, and quality. These segment values are then aggregated andaveraged over the length of the two compared files. An average score(e.g., 0-100) is assigned based on the individual scores of eachcompared segment. A separate score is assigned for each category ofmatch for each parameter of pitch, rhythm, and quality. These threescores are then averaged to obtain a single score for the entireperformance. In certain cases, the average may be a weighted average inwhich certain parameters or sub-parameter may be assigned a weight. Inthis manner, certain characteristics of a performance may be givengreater emphasis than others. For example, if the user is drumming alongwith a song, the rhythm parameter may be given greater weight, while thepitch component may be given greater weight for a vocal comparison. Theoutput of the comparison process generally comprises a single metricthat represents the overall similarity of the user's performance withthe source music content. This output value can be provided to the userand also used by the system in various other feedback contexts.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C illustrate the comparison of a source musiccomponent with a user provided component for each of the parameters ofpitch, rhythm, and quality, under an embodiment. FIG. 8A illustrates thecomparison of the pitch of the source music to the user performance,under an embodiment. The horizontal axis represents time in theappropriate unit of second, millisecond or microsecond, and the verticalaxis represents the frequency of the notes as they are played in Hertz(Hz). The notes from the isolated component of the source music content(copy 2) are shown as circles 801 and the corresponding user input notesare shown as “X's” 803. Each note of the source component is mapped to aparticular frequency 802, which is the reference frequency against whichthe corresponding user note is compared. Correlation of a source notewith a corresponding user note is provided through an analysis of therhythm parameter of the user component. The user note 803 is mapped toits actual frequency. The percentage deviation of the user note to thesource note is then calculated and used to provide the percentage metricfor that particular note. The percentage metrics for all of the notesfor the song or music segment are then aggregated and averaged toprovide an overall percentage metric for the rhythm component of theuser performance. Thus, for example, if the source note was at 440 Hz,and the user sang the note a bit flat at 420 Hz, the system wouldregister a certain percentage deviation in frequency for this note. Atolerance band demarcated by upper and lower bounds 804 is definedaround the reference frequency. This represents the range in which theuser note must fall in order to be recognized as a valid input for thesystem so that the user input note can be used for other parameteranalysis. The tolerance band is pre-defined as a percentage, for examplea user note must be within at least 70% in frequency along the Hz scaleof the reference note in order to be a valid attempted note. Any unsungnote or note that falls outside of the tolerance band would register apercent value of zero.

FIG. 8B illustrates the comparison of the rhythm of the source music tothe user performance, under an embodiment. As with FIG. 8A, thehorizontal axis represents time in the appropriate unit of second,millisecond or microsecond, and the vertical axis represents thefrequency of the played notes in Hertz (Hz). The notes from the isolatedcomponent of the source music content (copy 2) are shown as circles 811and the corresponding user input notes are shown as “X's” 813. Each noteof the source component is mapped to a particular time 812, which is thereference time against which the corresponding user note is compared.The user note 813 is mapped to its actual time. The percentage deviationof the user note to the corresponding source note is then calculated andused to provide the percentage metric for that particular note. Thepercentage metrics for all of the notes for the song or music segmentare then aggregated and averaged to provide an overall percentage metricfor the rhythm component of the user performance. Thus, for example, ifthe source note was at 10.21 seconds, and the user played the note a bitlate at 10.35 seconds, the system would register a certain percentagedeviation in time for this note. A tolerance band demarcated by upperand lower bounds 814 is defined around the reference frequency. Thisrepresents the range in which the user note must fall in order to berecognized as a valid input for the system so that the user input notecan be used for other parameter analysis. The tolerance band ispre-defined as a percentage, for example a user note must be within atleast 70% in time along the time scale of the reference note in order tobe a valid attempted note. Any unsung note or note that falls outside ofthe tolerance band would register a percent value of zero.

FIG. 8C illustrates the comparison of the quality of the source music tothe user performance, under an embodiment. The horizontal axisrepresents time in the appropriate unit of second, millisecond ormicrosecond, and the vertical axis represents the amplitude of the notesas they are played in decibels (dB) or other appropriate measurementunit. The stored isolated source component (copy 2) is represented as awaveform 822 that marks the amplitude of the notes against time. Afterthe user performance is input and recorded, it to is captured andrepresented as a waveform 824 that marks the amplitude of the notesagainst time. Each waveform generates a measurable area. The area of thesource component 822 is measured to provide a reference qualitymeasurement. The area of the user performance 824 is then measured andcompared to the reference a quality measurement. The percentagedeviation of the user waveform area to the reference waveform area isthen calculated and used to provide the percentage metric for thequality of the user metric. In an extreme case, two entirely differentwaveforms may give the same approximate area, but represent sounds thatare of different quality. When coupled with the pre-defined tolerancesof the pitch and rhythm analysis, however, the system forces acomparison of relatively similar waveforms. Moreover, even though thequality parameter might be close, in that the waveform areas are close,if either or both of the timing and pitch of the user performanceagainst the source is not close, the overall score will be low.

As stated above, embodiments of the system use a cross-correlation DSPalgorithm. In this case, the similarity of user notes to source(reference) notes for each of the parameters of pitch and rhythm, asshown in FIGS. 8A and 8B is performed using cross-correlation. Indigital signal processing, the cross-correlation is a measure ofsimilarity of two signals, commonly used to find features in an unknownsignal by comparing it to a known signal. It is a function of therelative time between the signals, and is sometimes called the slidingdot product, and has applications in pattern recognition andcrypto-analysis.

For continuous functions ƒ(x) and g (x) the cross-correlation is definedas

${\left( {f*g} \right)(x)}\overset{def}{=}{\int{f*(t){g\left( {x + t} \right)}{t}}}$

where the integral is over the appropriate values of t.

In one embodiment, the music training and entertainment system includesa number of different interactive teaching tools that help users improvetheir performance. In one embodiment, the system displays a graphicalrepresentation of the dynamic range of the source component prior to, oralong with playback of the source music. This can help the useranticipate what is to be played. FIG. 5 illustrates the display ofsource dynamic range, under an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, adigitized waveform 502 represents a section of the source music with theselected component 503 displayed in isolation or contrast with theremaining background signal. This waveform is generated by scanning inthe source music, isolating the user selected component by suppressingthe non-selected components, and creating a visual map of the selectedcomponent 502. This visual map is then displayed to the user in advanceof the user providing their own input as a visual queue of what to singor play, or it can be streamed in conjunction with the playback of thesource music to the user.

After the user input is received, the system similarly captures andstores the user provided stream and creates a visual map of the userinput, 504. This user input visual map 504 can then be displayed inconjunction with the source waveform 502 too allow the user to viewgraphically how close he or she was to the source component. Variousdifferent shading or color schemes can be used to enhance the display ofthe source and user waveforms. The waveforms can be displayed as timeversus pitch on the horizontal and vertical axis, respectively, as shownin FIG. 5. Rhythm or meter characteristics can also be displayed byaltering the digitization of the time-base, and other soniccharacteristics can also be accommodated through other visual cues.

Other training aids include an input component that allows the sourcemusic to be slowed down without a change in pitch or key. This aids auser in learning a particularly fast or complex portion of a song. Anautomatic transcribing component can also be included that displays thenotes or chords to be played as the source music is input to the system.

Online Entertainment System

In one embodiment, the front-end portion of the music training systemthat consists of the suppression and matching processes is incorporatedwithin an overall graphic-based entertainment system provides a platformfor interaction among different users and even competition among theseusers. Such an environment may be web-based, such as illustrated in FIG.1, or it may be embodied within a set-top box type of system, such asfor use in game consoles, kiosks, and the like.

As stated above, the music training and entertainment system provides anoverall score for the user's performance compared to the source music.In one embodiment, the quality score is converted to a scale that isrepresented by a subjective assessment of the user's performance. Thequality score is generally assigned on a scale of 0-100, and thus thescore number represents the percentage similarity of the user'sperformance to the source. Thus, a score of 50 would indicate that theuser's performance was 50% of the source as averaged over the threeparameters of pitch, rhythm and quality. This percentage is thenconverted to a scaled score, such as between 0-10 or 0-5. The convertedscore is used to generate a subjective characterization assigned to eachscaled score, such as “terrible” to “excellent.” FIG. 11 is a table thatillustrates a correlation of quality scores to converted scores andsubjective feedback, under an embodiment. As shown in table 1100, thequality scores range from 0-100. These scores are converted to a 1-10scale with each converted score representing a quality score within acertain quality score sub-range. In an interactive feedback system, theconverted score can be used correlate to a subjective score that isprovided to the user. Ranging from 1 (low) to 10 (high), thesesubjective scores can be phrases that summarize the performance, such asterrible to terrific, as shown in table 800. The converted score couldconstitute any appropriate range, such as 1-2 (e.g., Acceptable,Unacceptable), 1-3 (e.g., Bad, Average, Good), 1-5 (e.g., Bad, Poor,Average, Fair, Good), or any other range.

In one embodiment, the user feedback process 126 conforms to a judgingparadigm in which a host oversees the event and presides over a panel ofjudges that comment on the user's performance. The feedback processincludes a graphical user interface component that represents ananimated or graphical depiction of a host and a panel of judges, such asthree, five, or seven judges. Each judge is associated with a particularprofile that includes personality, background, prejudices, and so on.The commentary provided by each judge varies based on their individualpersonalities. FIG. 6 illustrates a virtual panel of judges with a hostfor use in a graphical user interface of the feedback component, underan embodiment. The virtual panel can display a picture of the host 602,as well as a picture of each judge 604 and a respective display window606 that indicates the judge's name, profile, and comments back to theuser. In one embodiment, the host 602 announces the score that the userreceives for his or her performance, and each of the judges provideshumorous and entertaining comments based on the performance. Thisprovides a level of interaction through animated characters and providesdifferent types of feedback to a user based on the performance.

In one embodiment, the user interface can be configured so that thejudges appear to issue their own separate score that varies from judgeto judge. In this way, the system appears to let different judges givedifferent scores and feedback based on the performance and their ownpersonality. The ultimate score produced by averaging the judge'sindividual scores corresponds to the actual score produced by thesystem.

In one embodiment, the music training and entertainment systemincorporates a comprehensive graphical user interface that incorporatesthe music input and user feedback portions of the system. Such aninterface can be provided for any implementation of the system thatincorporates a graphic display device, such as a game console, computernetwork environment, web-based implementation, and so on.

FIG. 7 is an example screen display for a web-based music training andentertainment system, under an embodiment. The display area 700 isdivided into a number of separate display windows. Display window 702displays the input source for the source music files, and can display aCD label or tracks, a source website, and so on. Display area 704provides an area for user input, and allows the user to play the sourcemusic, specify his or her input, select which component of the sourcemusic to compare, and display results. In one embodiment, a real-timemusic analysis histogram 705 is displayed that provides immediatefeedback to the user as the source music is played. The judges panel isdisplayed in display area 706. A sponsor link section 708 can also beprovided. The overall score can be displayed in any number of ways suchas a flashing number in the center of the screen, as shown, or any otherappropriate display means. The score can be shown as a single overallscore for the performance, or it can be broken down in terms of thescore for each measured parameter, e.g. pitch, rhythm, quality, so thatthe user can be given an indication of where a particular strength orweakness lies.

In one embodiment, the judges panel is an entertainment component inwhich each judge is assigned a particular personality and backgroundthat results in the generation of unique and amusing quips as part ofthe feedback to the user. For this embodiment, the single overall scoreis converted into possibly different converted scores for each judge, sothat the different judges can assign different converted scores andfeedback for a particular performance. In this case, the overall scoreis scaled up or down by a pre-determined amount based on the profile ofthe judge. Thus, one judge might rate one style of music or a particularinstrument consistently higher than the other judges, or consistentlyassign low scores to all performances, and so on. In an interactiveembodiment, the judges can also be configured to interact with oneanother and to provide feedback based on input from the other judges.Any number of interactive mechanisms, dialog and visual components canbe implemented depending on the constraints of the playback system.

Other entertainment oriented functions that enhance the game playingaspect of the system can also be included, such as a hall of fame forpeople who score the highest in their auditions, or a hall of shame forthose that score the lowest. Links can be provided to popular onlinesites, such as YouTube or Myspace so users view each othersperformances, and allow for viewer voting on performances. FIG. 10illustrates a posted user performance for the music training andentertainment system, under an embodiment. Display window 1000 includesa panel 1004 in which a video or audio clip of the user performance canbe played back. The user name and date of performance are noted, and thescore is displayed in display box 1002. FIG. 10 represents an examplelayout of such as posted page, and many other layouts are possible.

In one embodiment, a registration system is provided to allow users andsponsors to register with the system. This limits access and provides aplatform for secure interaction and feedback, as well as certainrevenue-generating mechanisms, such as directed ad generation andserving, paid access for talent scouts, industry executives, and thelike. In one embodiment, the system incorporates an advertisement orsupplemental message serving component that populates a section of thegraphical user interface, such as ad display window 708 with appropriatemessages. The ads or supplemental messages can be provided over thenetwork by a supplemental server, such as server 113 in FIG. 1 operatedby a vendor or third party. The ads to be displayed can be selected onthe basis of certain variables, such as type of source content, genre ofmusic, type of user-input component, user score, and so on.

In one embodiment, the advertising content delivered by the system canbe varied based on the user performance through a process referred to as“Adscore.” Adscore is a process in which user generated input, such asthe user's performance, is qualitatively evaluated and a score isassigned to their input. The score determines which piece of advertisingcontent is ultimately displayed. In this embodiment, the ad content maybe integrated within the interactive host and judge panel. This allowsproduct or service marketing to be tied directly to a user'sperformance. For example, if a user generates a particularly low score,an ad for a certain type of product may be displayed, whereas adifferent product or type of product may be displayed if the user scoresa high score. The ad may be displayed in the form of the host or judgeholding up the product, or speaking about the product. This provides anelement of embedded ad placement based on a user's performance in theinteractive game environment.

Embodiments of the music training and entertainment system describedherein can be implemented in various different forms, such as web-basedonline applications, computer programs for standalone or networkedclient-server computers, game consoles, karaoke machines, and so on.FIG. 9 illustrates a personal computer system that can implement a musictraining and entertainment process, under an embodiment. As shown insystem 100, a personal computer, or workstation class computer 902provides the hardware platform for the user-side of the music trainingand entertainment process. The user provided component 904 is input intocomputer 904 through an internal or external microphone, or any othertype of adapter suitable to accept instrument or voice input. The sourcemusic 906 in the form of digital media (e.g., CD or DVD) is inputthrough an input/output port, such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port.The source music may also be provided through a streaming audio or videosource, as well as from fixed media. As described above, the processproduces two copies of the source music, copy 1 for the entire sourcecontent, and copy 2 for the isolated component of the source content.These copies are stored along with the user performance in a data store910 within or coupled to computer 902. The copy 1 content is then outputthrough speaker 908. The user performance and/or score may be output toan external network through network interface device 912 for posting tonetwork websites or transmission to other network devices or computers.

Although embodiments described herein are directed to receiving musiccontent from a source, it should be noted that the input content couldbe any type of data stream, against which a user wishes to compare hisor her own version of the data. For audio applications, such embodimentscould include voice coaching systems, foreign language educationsystems, speech therapy systems, and the like.

Aspects of the music training and entertainment system described hereinmay be implemented as functionality programmed into any of a variety ofcircuitry, including programmable logic devices (“PLDs”), such as fieldprogrammable gate arrays (“FPGAs”), programmable array logic (“PAL”)devices, electrically programmable logic and memory devices and standardcell-based devices, as well as application specific integrated circuits.Some other possibilities for implementing aspects of the music trainingand entertainment method include: microcontrollers with memory (such asEEPROM), embedded microprocessors, firmware, software, etc. Furthermore,aspects of the described method may be embodied in microprocessorshaving software-based circuit emulation, discrete logic (sequential andcombinatorial), custom devices, fuzzy (neural) logic, quantum devices,and hybrids of any of the above device types. The underlying devicetechnologies may be provided in a variety of component types, e.g.,metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (“MOSFET”)technologies like complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (“CMOS”),bipolar technologies like emitter-coupled logic (“ECL”), polymertechnologies (e.g., silicon-conjugated polymer and metal-conjugatedpolymer-metal structures), mixed analog and digital, and so on.

It should also be noted that the various functions disclosed herein maybe described using any number of combinations of hardware, firmware,and/or as data and/or instructions embodied in various machine-readableor computer-readable media, in terms of their behavioral, registertransfer, logic component, and/or other characteristics.Computer-readable media in which such formatted data and/or instructionsmay be embodied include, but are not limited to, non-volatile storagemedia in various forms (e.g., optical, magnetic or semiconductor storagemedia) and carrier waves that may be used to transfer such formatteddata and/or instructions through wireless, optical, or wired signalingmedia or any combination thereof. Examples of transfers of suchformatted data and/or instructions by carrier waves include, but are notlimited to, transfers (uploads, downloads, e-mail, etc.) over theInternet and/or other computer networks via one or more data transferprotocols (e.g., HTTP, FTP, SMTP, and so on).

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of “including,but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number alsoinclude the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, thewords “herein,” “hereunder,” “above,” “below,” and words of similarimport refer to this application as a whole and not to any particularportions of this application. When the word “or” is used in reference toa list of two or more items, that word covers all of the followinginterpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of theitems in the list and any combination of the items in the list.

The above description of illustrated embodiments of the music trainingand entertainment system is not intended to be exhaustive or to limitthe embodiments to the precise form or instructions disclosed. Whilespecific embodiments of, and examples for, the system are describedherein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications arepossible within the scope of the described embodiments, as those skilledin the relevant art will recognize.

The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can becombined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can bemade to the music training and entertainment system in light of theabove detailed description.

In general, in any following claims, the terms used should not beconstrued to limit the described system to the specific embodimentsdisclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construedto include all operations or processes that operate under the claims.Accordingly, the described system is not limited by the disclosure, butinstead the scope of the recited method is to be determined entirely bythe claims.

While certain aspects of the music training and entertainment system arepresented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates thevarious aspects of the methodology in any number of claim forms. Forexample, while only one aspect of the system is recited as embodied inmachine-readable medium, other aspects may likewise be embodied inmachine-readable medium. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right toadd additional claims after filing the application to pursue suchadditional claim forms for other aspects of the described systems andmethods.

1. A method comprising: receiving a source stream from a source, thesource stream comprising a plurality of components; receiving a userselection of a component of the source stream to be compared against;suppressing non-selected components within the source stream to isolatethe user selected component of the plurality of components; receiving auser provided component corresponding to the user selected component ofthe source stream simultaneously with the source stream; comparing theisolated user selected component with the user provided component; andproviding to the user a numeric score representing a similarity based ona plurality of characteristics of the user selected component of thesource stream with the user provided component.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein the source stream comprises music, and the source is selectedfrom the group consisting of: streaming music content, pre-recordeddigital media, pre-recorded analog media, and a live performance by oneor more performers.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality ofcharacteristics is selected from the group consisting of: pitch, rhythm,and sonic quality.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the user selectedcomponent is selected from the group consisting of vocal, guitar,keyboard, drums, and ensemble of instruments.
 5. The method of claim 1wherein the step of isolating the user selected component comprises:identifying a frequency range of the user selected component; separatingsignals within the frequency range of the user selected component fromremaining signals in the source stream; decreasing an amplitude of theremaining signals to a defined level relative to an amplitude of theuser selected component; and storing the isolated user selectedcomponent.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of comparing theisolated user selected component with the user provided componentcomprises comparing signals within the frequency range of the userselected component are compared with the user provided component througha cross correlation process.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein numericscore ranges from 0 to 100, wherein 100 represents the highest score and0 represents the lowest score.
 8. The method of claim 7 furthercomprising: displaying feedback from a virtual panel of a plurality ofjudges through a device operated by the user; and transmitting thenumeric score from the user-operated device to a server computercoupling the user-operated device to a plurality of other user-operateddevices.
 9. The method of claim 8 further comprising correlating thenumeric score to a qualitative textual summary provided to the user. 10.The method of claim 9 wherein one or more of the judges of the pluralityof the judges assigns a different numeric score and qualitative textualsummary for the user provided component.
 11. The method of claim 9further comprising: receiving from a third party advertising server, anadvertising message selected on the basis of one or more characteristicsof the user provided component; and displaying the advertising messageto the user through a graphical user interface.
 12. The method of claim3 further comprising: assigning intermediate scores to eachcharacteristic of the plurality of characteristics; and averaging theintermediate scores to generate the numeric score.
 13. The method ofclaim 12 wherein intermediate scores are weighted by pre-defined weightvalues.
 14. The method of claim 1 wherein the source stream comprisesspeech, and the source is selected from the group consisting of:streaming music content, pre-recorded digital media, pre-recorded analogmedia, and a live performance by one or more performers.
 15. The methodof claim 1 wherein the user comprises a plurality of users, eachproviding a different component, and wherein the user selected componentcomprises two or more components of the plurality of components.
 16. Aninteractive entertainment system comprising: means receiving a sourcestream from a source, the source stream comprising a plurality ofcomponents; means for receiving a user provided component correspondingto a specified component of the source stream simultaneously with thesource stream; means for comparing the user provided component with thespecified component of the source stream; means for providing to theuser a numeric score representing a similarity of the user providedcomponent with the specified component based on a plurality ofcharacteristics of the source stream; and means for correlating thenumeric score to a qualitative text message, wherein the qualitativetext message is provided to the user through a virtual panel of aplurality of judges displayed on a graphical user interface of aplayback system operated by the user.
 17. The system of claim 16 whereinthe source stream comprises music, and the source is selected from thegroup consisting of: streaming music content, pre-recorded digitalmedia, pre-recorded analog media, and a live performance by one or moreperformers.
 18. The system of claim 17 wherein the user selectedcomponent is selected from the group consisting of vocal, guitar,keyboard, drums, and ensemble of instruments.
 19. The system of claim 18wherein the plurality of characteristics comprises pitch, rhythm, andsonic quality.
 20. The system of claim 19 further comprising: assigningintermediate scores to each characteristic of the plurality ofcharacteristics; and averaging the intermediate scores to generate thenumeric score.
 21. The system of claim 20 wherein one or more of thejudges of the plurality of the judges assigns a different qualitativetextual summary for the user provided component.
 22. The system of claim21 wherein the qualitative summary of one or more of the judges of theplurality of the judges responds to a qualitative summary provided byone or more of the other judges of the virtual panel.
 23. The system ofclaim 22 further comprising transmitting the score, the qualitativesummary of the virtual panel, and an audio file of the user component toan accessible network computer.
 24. The system of claim 21 furthercomprising a directed advertising message component configured todisplay and advertising message to the user, wherein the content of theadvertising message depends on the score of the user.